Category Archives: General

Tradeshow Discernment

23 Monday Mar 2015

Posted by in Discernment, General

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The company I work for offers PSM software and services.  That won’t mean much to any of you, so here is a brief description of PSM (please don’t go to sleep): it stands for Process Safety Management.  It is a single regulation found in the massive OSHA Code of Federal Regulations (29 CFR 1910.119).  It requires companies that store or use hazardous chemicals to comply with a number of different elements in order to protect worker safety, maintain the integrity of the actual process (piping, etc.) and continually ensure that updates, changes, and additions are done appropriately.  Within this single regulation, there are 14 elements, each of which integrate and overlap each other (on purpose) so that the overall chemical process is kept up to date.  Some of these elements include employee participation (the need for everyone to be involved and on the same page), process safety information (technical information related to the process, calculations, drawings, etc.), operating procedures, management of change, incident investigation, emergency response planning, major studies and analysis, and at the end of the day, it really is quite a bit of work that is required of each plant location to comply with the regulations.  On top of this OSHA retains the right to show up at any time (to any location) and perform an inspection to verify compliance with this regulation.  If any deficiencies are found, there could be citations, notices of violation, and potentially forced closure.

The point of our software is to capture the work that any one plant or group of plants has already done to address this regulation, process and analyze that data, provide the individuals with email notifications to address upcoming and overdue tasks, notices and/or approvals, track recommendations to closure, and manage any and all changes properly so that the various elements truly work together in a way that is efficient and effective.  Simple right?  We certainly think so.

This regulation has been in place for over 20 years, but the majority of plants that we deal with, still struggle to meet the intent of this regulation.  There are some plants that don’t really try at all – they just try to avoid being inspected by OSHA, and look exhaustively for any way possible to be exempt or hide from the regulations.  There are others who give a fair effort and do some of the basics, expecting OSHA to  ‘justify them in committing a little non-compliance’, thinking ‘there is no harm in this’, and only ‘beat them with a few stripes’ and ultimately extend leniency in the event of an inspection (see 2 Ne. 28:8).  There are companies who try pretty hard, but are limited in their resources, so they never really meet the standard, and then there are still others (the vast minority) who make it a top priority and don’t settle for anything less than the best that they can do.  To be fair (and honest) the majority of those who are honestly trying may be motivated by fear (hefty fine or even worse nowadays is bad publicity) more than the motivation to be the best that they can be and just do what is right, but there are a few who are motivated for the right reasons.

Since I am in the thick of an annual conference where PSM is a factor, this divisive topic brings up the following question to most of the attendees (at least where I am concerned); “what kind of feelings are stirred up within us when we hear the word PSM?”  Imagine with me for a moment, the interactions that I get to see daily when I am representing my company at this industry trade show.  The name of my company (APSM), and our slogan (PSM Software and Services) is displayed on our booth and scores of the end users walk by and silently answer that question based on their reaction to just reading my sign.  It breaks down to something like this…

75% pretend that my booth doesn’t exist.  They see the word PSM and they feign ignorance or disinterest (some might even actually become angry inside).

10% view the booth, see what we offer and actually move further away from me.

10% see my booth and our literature, watch the looping PowerPoint slide for a moment, and appear to be somewhat interested, only to then meander away avoiding eye contact at all cost hoping that I don’t speak to them.

5% read the slogan, watch the PPT, start to look at the brochures that explain our product, and think to themselves; ‘this software is totally awesome and could really help me in my ongoing quest to keep up with my PSM program’. 1

The reasons as to why the 95% don’t express any interest at all in our product are likely many – but here are a few possible explanations…

  1. They see the words PSM and ‘fear exceedingly’ because they know that their existing PSM program is in horrible shape – but them even considering talking to me (or us) would be an acknowledgement of their failure in that regard.So, they stay away from help, not realizing that by staying away from help (my company, our software) they actually are making things increasingly worse as time goes on.  Ignoring the problem doesn’t seem to fix it.  Then, in a panic they call us when they get audited by OSHA and ask for a miracle….
  2. They see the words PSM and don’t worry because they have been ‘pacified or lulled away into PSM security’ by someone who has little to no actualPSM knowledge.  These are they who actually think that their 3rd grade PSM program is good enough to stand up against OSHA’s inspection criteria.  These are they who were ‘flattered away’ by the cunning and false words of others.
  3. They see the words PSM, and are at least semi-interested.They watch the video thinking to themselves – “I should probably know about the things that this slideshow is outlining, and I should probably investigate this product to see if, what, and how it can help me” only to then reach a point where it seems to require too much of their time and attention and reach one of two conclusions 1) someone else has probably taken care of it, or 2) that’s a good product for others, but it would never work for me (budget reasons, more work than I want to think about, etc.).
  4. They see the words PSM and avoid us because they already have a PSM vendor (or even worse another PSM software product).They see us and yell in their minds “PSM software!  PSM software!  We have got a PSM software and there cannot be any more PSM software vendors!” This is a difficult customer to talk to because they are completely against anything that would upset this thought – no matter what we try.2

On the positive side, there are the 5% that are interested, ask good questions, take my business card and a brochure with real intent.  Of those 5%, maybe 1% will respond to follow up and actually progress past the tradeshow – in order to see if our product really could help them, and these are the ones we like to talk with anyway.  Even though only 1% will really progress, we still applaud them for pursuing the idea of betterment.

There is yet another category of conference-goer that I have not included in the percentage breakdown, and they are existing clients (or clients that have progressed from interested conference-goer or software product investigator to existing client at some point in the past).  These clients come over confidently, we greet each other by name, and then we proceed to discuss how much the software has helped them over the months or years.  They invariably indicate how much they’ve learned, how many things have improved, and how much of a difference it really has made.  Sometimes this even bleeds into a discussion of what exciting changes are coming to the software in the future.  Without fail the more the software is utilized by an individual or a plant, the more successful the PSM program and that company have been.  If the software product is unused and/or misunderstood it will quickly be tossed out and forgotten.

That’s great Tyson, but what does PSM have to do with anything?  I was bored 10 minutes ago.

A few weeks ago in Elder’s quorum, we had a lesson on repentance and the first question the instructor asked was “what kind of feelings are stirred up within us when we hear the word repentance?”   It was an interesting question, and the answer is different for each of us as it is directly related to the level of our individual confidence ‘in the presence of God’ (see D&C 121:45) and our current need for repentance.  If the word repentance immediately forms beads of sweat on our brow, and brings on visions of Spencer W. Kimball’s book (you know the one I’m talking about) we may naturally have some panic at the mere word – but, if we are honestly striving to do our best, and have repeatedly and humbly embraced repentance  – we will have a different, much sweeter reaction to it.3

In other words, how we respond to the word repentance is the same to how my conference-goers respond to the sign PSM Software and Services at my booth.

Do I see or hear the word repentance and ‘fear exceedingly’ because I know that my existing repentance program is in horrible shape – and by thinking about it I acknowledge my deep failure in that regard?  Do I then stay away from help and true repentance, not realizing that by staying away from help (bishop, family, the Lord) I am actually making things increasingly worse as time goes on.  Ignoring repentance (or guilt which is the natural encouragement the spirit gives us to repent) will not make it’s necessity go away and problems can’t get fixed until they are identified and acknowledged (as problems).

Do I see/hear the word repentance but not worry because I have been ‘pacified or lulled away into carnal security’ by someone who has little to no real repentance knowledge.  These are they who think that 3rd grade repentance program is good enough to stand up against God’s inspection criteria.  These are they who were ‘flattered away’ by the cunning or completely wrong advice of others or our own rationalization or justifications.

Do I see/hear the word repentance and act semi-interested?  Do I think to myself – “I should probably know more about the things that this class/instructor/book is outlining, and I should probably investigate this topic to see what and how it can help me” only to then reach a point where it seems to require too much of my time and attention and reach one of two conclusions 1) someday later I will probably take care of it, or 2) that’s a good idea in theory, but it would never actually work for me (personal reasons, family wouldn’t approve, more work than I want to think about, I’ve done too much wrong, etc.)

Do I see/hear the word repentance and avoid it because I already repented?  Do I yell in my mind “repentance!  repentance!  We have repented and there cannot be any more repentance!”

On the positive side, if we find ourselves in the percentage that is continually interested in repentance, and we are currently asking good questions, let’s take it to the next step and get a business card and a brochure.  Then, let’s continue to be the 1% that will actually respond or even initiate some follow up and actually progress the sale past the tradeshow – in order to see if repentance really can help us.  Even though that progress might be slow, tedious, and potentially painful.  Remember, we can’t know real joy or peace unless we know real misery and turmoil.

Then, we can count ourselves a part of the category of conference/church-goer that was not included in the percentage breakdown, (let us be existing and continuous repentance clients).  Then we (as existing repentance clients) can come over to the Lords booth confidently, He will greet us by name, and then we can proceed to discuss how much repentance has helped us over the years.  We can invariably tell him how much we’ve learned, how many things have improved in our lives, and how much of a difference it really has made – somehow much more than we ever thought it could.  Without fail, the more repentance is utilized, the more successful the life program and that person will be.  If however, the repentance process (just like PSM software) is unused and/or misunderstood it will quickly be ignored and forgotten.

Notes

1 You may ask how I came to arrive at these very scientific numbers and/or percentages, and there is no answer.  I have no scientific studies, data, charts, or even lists to substantiate the percentile claims in this blog post, but they are correct.  I just know.  I liken this to how your bishop and/or other priesthood leaders or your parents just know if/when you’re lying about worthiness or preparation or tithing or anything else important.  I have been doing this job for 8 years now and have attended over 30 tradeshows and every single one of them has the same people who give me the same runaround.  I am not fooled.  I have developed the talent of PSM discernment (a coveted gift in the pre-existence to be sure).  I know very easily when our software solution could help someone.  I know how much it could help them, and I know how thankful they would be for it IF they just listened to me and implemented it.  Fathers and mothers feel this way about their children when they give them advice and the same fathers and mothers are not fooled when their children try and tell them that they brush their teeth every night before bed.  We just know better.

2 I have (on many occasions) had to explain to people that there is more than 1 software provider out there, and just because you have one PSM software in use at your company doesn’t mean you have the best one, or even a good one at all.  They should know that ‘there are more softwares than one’….and they should not ‘murmur because that ye shall receive more of my software [help].  They need not suppose that their software contains all the requirements for PSM; neither need they suppose [that He hath not] caused more to be written’ (see 2 Ne.29:6-12).

3 See ‘Approaching the Throne of God with Confidence’ by Elder Jorg Klebingat of the Seventy from the October 2014 Conference.  It is amazing.

Sons of Thunder

22 Saturday Nov 2014

Posted by in General, Poems

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This next post needs to be setup for the proper context in order to be better understood.  The time frame is the latter days, when Satan’s forces are amassing an innumerable force to battle and annihilate the people of God.  Christ has come and is the general. We know He is here, but have not seen Him personally. We, the followers of Christ, are gathering, hoping, waiting to follow instructions that will come.  At this time of gathering and insecurity, a leader will emerge. Who this leader is we may not know, or we may know. But I imagine him to be like the great leaders of ancient times who had the ability to inspire, and who were not in the least bit hesitant to rough people up. This leader will be like captain Moroni, Teancum, Lehi, or Joshua. Absolute unequivocal confidence and faith to win, and not just win, but destroy completely.  I image him to be mounted, fully armed and shielded, spear raised, riding in front of gathering soldiers. Shouting, with an extreme intensity in his voice, and a palpable hatred for evil. He would look into each one of us as we gathered to follow him into battle and through him we would be filled with his same spirit of confidence and strength that he receives from Christ himself. That is the context of this next post.
It’s our future call to arms.

 

Sons of Thunder1

Awake! O sons of thunder rise!
And pierce as lightning through black skies,
The darkest pitch, where evil lies,
Come fight! and hasten Hell’s demise!
Our captain calls us now!

He calls the weak, unlearned, despised,
To thresh the nations2! Heed His cry!
His Spirit strengthens, and gives flight,
To arrows sent by Heavens might.
Our captain calls us now!

Our faith, unyielding strength will be,
Lay waste the shirking enemies,
Below our feet3, crushed, cowering,
To feel Gods mighty angry sting!
Our captain calls us now!

Wo, to those who’ll face the fire,
Of righteous indignation’s ire4,
Kindled falsehoods from the liar,
Who fills man’s heart with false desire,
The Captain sees you now!

Come follow Him! God is His name!
Man of Holiness5 sustain,
Almighty God! His light proclaim!
And fill the earth o’er sea and plain!
Our Captain calls us now!

Rise up! and join with spear and sword!
Fighting wholly for our Lord!
Clash manfully6 of one accord!
Cut down, thresh evil untoward!
My Captain use me now!

For with His spirit in my veins,
My strength of arm no longer wanes,
His arm-my arm7, my King proclaimed!
Victory is thus obtained!
My captain with me now!

And as the liar is cut down,
How great his fall below the ground,
To gnash and wail, forever bound8,
His misery and doom compound.
The Captain beat him now!

And yet how great shall be the crown,
Atop our Captain’s Princely brow,
To rule and reign with great renown,
His power, glory, honor bound,
Our Captain! Praise Him now!

And now ascends His throne to reign,
Vanquish fear, and conquer pain,
To honor Father, and His name,
The holy throne is now His claim
Our Captain leads us now!

And we who fought for Him shall be,
Decorated lovingly,
Lifted high, and honored be,
Yet Worship Him on bended knee9.
Our captain, our King now!

He Reigns supremely! He has won!
He is the Father’s eldest Son,
Ordained on high to make “at one”,
So we below can overcome!
Our Captain, Savior now!

Come join the ranks! Make bare our sword!
Come battle for the Risen Lord!
Who gives us strength to well afford,
To strike down evil’s force deplored!
His light no longer be ignored,
That fuels the Gospel He restored,
Our God! our Captain now!

 

Notes:

1 Mark 3:17

2 D&C 35:13 “Wherefore, I call upon the weak things of the world, those who are unlearned and despised, to thresh the nations by the power of my Spirit;”

3 D&C 35:14 “…and their enemies shall be under their feet…”

4 Moses 7:34 “And the fire of mine indignation is kindled against them; and in my hot displeasure will I send in the floods upon them, for my fierce anger is kindled against them.”

5 Moses 7:35 “Behold, I am God; Man of Holiness is my name…”

6 D&C 35:14 “…and they shall fight manfully for me…”

7 D&C 35:14 “…And their arm shall be my arm…”

8 D&C 133:73 “These shall go away into outer darkness, where there is weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth”

9 D&C 76:110 “And heard the voice of the Lord saying: These all shall bow the knee, and every tongue shall confess to him who sits upon the throne forever and ever;”

The Parable of the Three Shepherds

13 Thursday Nov 2014

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Note: This is not scripture, nor is it meant to be viewed as me writing scripture, just a cool way to make a point. I love the principles made in parables, and love to see the connections with everyday problems and how they relate to gospel principles.



1 For the spiritual well being of mankind is like unto a Master of a large estate who possessed many flocks of sheep1. And He had commissioned2 three shepherds to attend His flocks, and the shepherds were taught by the Master himself to care for, and raise the flocks as He would3. This was all done to please and glorify4 the Master.


2 But the estate also was plagued with a vile viper whose venom was very noxious, and whose toxin was a painful poison to both the sheep and the shepherds.


3 And the Master forewarned the shepherds that the viper was ever present, and would strike in the black of night, or from the shadows by day. For the design and purpose of the viper was to cause the suffering and destruction of the sheep of the flocks and their shepherds, and to lessen of the Glory of the Master.

 

4 And the Master gave instruction to the shepherds that if the viper should strike, that they should come unto Him to be healed5, for He knew the viper and his ways, and was immune to his cunning.


5 Now as the shepherds went about, and hurrying with the preparations for the work of the day, each one in turn was struck by the viper who had hid himself in their midst.

 

6 Now the strike from the viper was subtle and quick, almost imperceptible to be felt. But the toxin from the bite was noxious and increasingly painful and worked speedily6 to poison the body.


7 The first shepherd upon being struck, strait away left all, and ran to the Master and pleaded with Him to be healed. The Master received him openly, and identified the wound, blessed it, and taking a drop of His own blood7, cleansed and healed the bite from the viper.

 

8 Upon the cleansing of the bite from the viper, the first shepherd went away joyously, feeling health return to him, and looking forward to laboring for the Master caring for the sheep under his commission.

 

9 ¶The second shepherd, upon feeling the bite, thought naught of it, and continued the hurried preparation of the day.

 

10 He continued to labor caring for the sheep of the Master, but was increasingly vexed by the poison that was in him. His wound became greater, more vile, more painful as to effect his ability to walk, and care for his flock.

 

11 The second shepherd continued to ignore the painful bite, until at last it had rendered him unrecognizable to the eye. His flock of sheep sensed his pain, and distanced themselves from him as he and they were effected by the ever increasing purulence of the wound.

 

12 At last, the second shepherd could take no more and crawled low on his belly to the Master seeking aid. The Master received him openly, and identified the wound, and seeing its severity, was much grieved and said, “Why didst thou not come to me to be healed as I had instructed?”

 

13 The shepherd then replied, “I wished to be strong, and prove you therewith that I was so, and in so doing make you well pleased8.” The Master then replied, “I allow the viper to exist in my estate so as to provide opposition9, so that you may learn to overcome. Overcoming opposition will always require submission to My will and instructions”. The Master then taking a lance, opened the painful wound, drained the purulence, carefully, and completely removed all the corrupted tissue and disease. He then taking a drop of his own blood, cleansed the wound, blessed it and it was healed.                 


14 The second shepherd, upon being healed, rejoiced exceedingly for the relief of the pain, and went away joyously, feeling health return to him, also retaining a scar so as to remember the wound that the Master had healed. Upon his return, the flock also rejoiced exceedingly, as they again recognized the shepherd that had cared for them.


15 ¶The third shepherd, upon being struck by the viper, refused to believe that it had occurred. He thought, “Surely a strike from a deadly viper would be more painful to feel”, and he went away paying no heed to the bite.


16 Gradually the wound grew more painful and vile, and it had an effect on his ability to walk, yet the shepherd regarded it not10. The wound drained a vile purulence, yet the shepherd regarded it not. The shepherd made coverings of thick skins and linens and layers of protection so as to hide and conceal the wound, yet all around him sensed his pain and were aware of the effect of the wound on the shepherd. Even the flock of the shepherd grew wary of the wound and sought distance between them.


17 Yet the shepherd refused to see the wound as it was. And gradually, the painful toxin from the bite of the viper spread to all the body of the shepherd. His mind was numbed, his senses dulled, his ears to hear and eyes to see were slowly taken from him11.

 

18 As time passed, his little flock was lost, and wandered leaderless seeking other flocks, and shepherds whose eyes were clearer, and whose care was unhampered by the toxin of the viper.


19 The third shepherd finally fell to the bite of the viper and was forever lost.

 

20 ¶The loss of His shepherd grieved the Master greatly, and He wept for the loss of His flock and His shepherd. “Why didst thou not come unto Me?” he cried, “For my arms were open, and my love complete as to heal all wounds12“.

 

20 And the Master again cried, “For my grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 13



All of us are wounded to some extent. Even the divinely protected Sons of Helaman were ALL wounded, some grievously, from their battle. So, what are our wounds? How are we wounded? Each of us has a different answer for that question. My wounds are different than yours. They could be sin, physical wounds, emotional, or spiritual. But, every wound is healed the same way. The Atonement.

Not utilizing the atonement, or refusing to acknowledge a need for it, or being overtly disappointed when we are required to rely on it, is not understanding its purpose. We are meant to be wounded. We are supposed to be bitten by the viper. We are here to see how we act AFTER we are bitten. It is the blood that was spilt for all of us. It heals all wounds. There are no extra points for those who use the Atonement less, its actually quite the opposite, The Savior taught this principle through the parable of the two debtors14 The Savior knows us, he knows our wounds, he knows how to heal us. We will love him more, the more we depend on Him and His atonement. But, WE have to either run strait away to Him, or crawl on our belly to Him, to receive His healing power. But, if we simply cover our wounds, and ignore them, they are allowed to fester and worsen, and will eventually destroy us. Lets all be willing to “Come unto Him”, and be healed.


1 Isaiah 53:6, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every on to his own way; and the Lord hath lad on him the iniquity of us all. 2 D&C 20:80, “…Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

3 John 21:16 , “He saith to hime again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

4 Moses 1:39, “For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man”. 5 Mathew 11;28, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”.

6 Alma 30:60, “And thus we see the end of him who perverteth the ways of the Lord; and thus we see that the devil will not support his children at the last day, but doth speedily drag them down to hell.

7 Isaiah 53:5, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

8 2 Nephi 4:34, “O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.”


9 2 Nephi 2:11, “For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my firstborn in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility.”

10 D&C 38:13, “And now I show unto you a mystery, a thing which is had in secret chambers, to bring to pass even your destruction in process of time, and ye knew it not;

11 D&C 123:8 “It is an iron yoke, it is a strong band; they are the very handcuffs, and chains, and shackles, and fetters of hell.”

12 Mormon 6:16-20, “And my soul was rent with anguish, because of the slain of my people, and I cried: O ye fair ones, how could ye have departed from the ways of the Lord! O ye fair ones, how could ye have rejected that Jesus, who stood with open arms to receive you! Behold, if ye had not done this, ye would not have fallen. But behold, ye are fallen, and I mourn your loss. O ye fair sons and daughters, ye fathers and mothers, ye husbands and wives, ye fair ones, how is it that ye could have fallen! But behold, ye are gone, and my sorrows cannot bring your return.”

13 2 Corinthians 12:9, “…My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

14 Luke 7:41-43 

Facial Hair and Motorcycles

13 Thursday Nov 2014

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When I was a kid growing up I wanted two things more than anything else in the entire world. More than any Nintendo game, more than peacefully watching a Chicago Bulls game with a 6# bag of gummy worms, yes, even more than my own body weight in my mom’s Spaghetti with a pound of parmesan cheese on it, the things I desired above all else were facial hair and a Motorcycle. As a child I was too weak in spirit to follow the commandment “Thou shalt not covet” and I found myself coveting all men (and occasional women) with facial hair and coveting every motorcycle I saw or heard. I made it a goal to one day achieve them both. As a boy I was powerless to “hasten the work” of puberty and I was forced to sit and wait for that euphoric day when I would have the opportunity to pick up a razor and with it, shave the few patchy hairs emerging from my face in glorious triumph and victory! Then, for added emphasis leave the hairs in the sink only to boastfully claim them when someone yelled “Gross, who shaved and left it in the sink?!” Sure, you may be the worst blog post you have yet to read, but I swear there is a point to this, just stay with me.

Years later the day did come and I likely felt more joy than any other human on the face of the earth has ever felt while shaving. Since that day and still to this day I have avoided shaving at all costs to enjoy the pleasures of the beard I now have that I waited so long to receive. As for my motorcycle the day I purchased it was one of the happiest days of my life. As I stood at my house staring in awe at my Motorcycle (while bearded in fact) it was as if I had achieved the greatest achievement in the history of achieving achievements. It was like the feeling you get when as Mario you jump over Bowser while dodging his hatchets and free Princess Peach for the first time X 1,000,000. It was incredible!

The reason that day was one of the greatest days of my life was because I finally had two things that I truly desired with all my heart. The wait, the work, the desire had finally paid off and I was now able to enjoy them both to their full extent. It’s also important to note that I was able to achieve these things on my own. I was in no way constricted or stopped (other than my Mom, Wife, Grandma, and everyone who’s ever known me telling me how bad of an idea a motorcycle was) or did I have to wait for others to help me. I could reach these achievements as quickly as I was personally capable of. Again, I didn’t have to rely on anyone else.

Not relying on anyone else is a complete contrast to Temple work for the dead! The Holy Ghost, the Priesthood, and being sealed to loved ones for time and all eternity are incredible gifts worth far more than any sum of money or any material possessions could possible even come close to! Those gifts are infinitely better, cooler, and more important than the latest Honda CBR motorcycle and trump the awesomeness of even Hagrid’s beard. There are countless souls who have gone on before us who above all else desire nothing more than these sacred and holy ordinances to be performed in their behalf! However, unlike me they are completely and totally helpless to help themselves! It’s like having an itch that ranks higher than any other itch ever recorded on the “itch richter scale” yet you have to wait for someone else to scratch it! They rely 100% on us! I see this as a tremendous responsibility and that we have much work to do! Linked to that tremendous responsibility however is also tremendous opportunity and blessings! When I think about how truly amazing it is that we get to act as a proxy for past friends, family, and even strangers in their behalf to partake of the eternal blessings they could not, or chose not to partake of in mortal life which they now so desperately desire… I just shake my head in amazement. I don’t think I fully understand the blessings that come from doing Temple work. I know the diseased are blessed with these amazing gifts as we perform their work, but I can’t help but feel as if we are at least equally blessed for facilitating the process. I try to imagine the joy, love, happiness, gratitude and appreciation they must feel at finally, after weeks, months, years, decades or even centuries being able to receive the Holy Ghost, the Priesthood, or to be reunited with their loved ones again!  I try to imagine the reunion that takes place when Husband and Wife see each other again! How about the overwhelming joy in the embrace from a daughter or son given and received by their parents after so many years! We through Temple work have the opportunity to bring about so much happiness and joy and gratitude by literally bringing entire families, and generations of family together again! This to me is an eternal service with an eternal rippling effect. If you haven’t already made it a point to make Temple work a part of your life I would invite you to make that change or work toward that change now. You will not regret it!

The Greatest Prophet….you’ve never heard of.

29 Friday Aug 2014

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Elijah

I love Spy Books. Jason Bourne, James Bond, and my latest favorite Mitch Rapp. All of these guys are cool under pressure, underestimated, under appreciated, smarter, and more tuned into the small details around them that tip them off to the bad guys’ plan. Its always a continuous nail biting experience until, in the end, they narrowly escape almost certain death, and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. The story never gets old. The hero always wins. These unbelievably amazing stories are, of course, pure fiction.

However, many stories of actual heroes who have lived and battled actual evil are scattered throughout history. You could look at George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Paul Revere and many others. All of these real heroes did a lot of good for a lot of people. But, even these great guys are actually small characters in the spy book of the history of the world.

If we look at our life and purpose here on earth from God’s perspective, things tend to look quite a bit different. Things we thought really mattered, don’t. Each small covert act we carry out can alter a person’s life for the better, and can have overwhelming potential impact on that person’s future, and potentially their entire posterity’s future. The heroes that have truly effected the most people in history from this perspective, are the prophets. God’s prophets throughout the ages now seem to be the Jason Bournes of the spy book of real life.

Many of the prophets from history are still famous. Adam, Moses, Isaiah, Peter, Lehi, Nephi,Mormon, and Alma. All these guys are well known, and their works are well known. Their impact on the meaningful history of the world is common knowledge. But, just like my favorite characters in my spy books, I like the guys that fly under the radar.

One of the greatest prophets that has ever lived, is, in my opinion, one of the least known, or truly appreciated.  His impact on all of us is expertly embedded in the very fabric of the gospel. Not only was he crucial to the survival of God’s true religion against the idolatry of the prophets of Baal in the old testament times. He totally beat them down in a little 450-on-one call-fire-down-from-heaven my-God-is-better-than-yours challenge. He also played, quite possibly, the most vital role in the restoration of the gospel when he appeared to the prophet Joseph Smith. So who is this guy? The one and only Elijah.

Think about some of the most famous stories of the Bible.  You may think of Moses’ parting of the Red Sea and the children of Israel crossing on dry land. Did you also know about Elijah parting the river Jordan and crossing it on dry ground (2 kings 2:8)? We know about Jesus feeding the 5,000 with just a few loaves of bread and a couple of fish? What about Elijah blessing the widows last handful of meal and oil, and then that last meal lasting and sustaining her and her family throughout the famine (1 Kings 17:8-16).  Jesus raising Lazerus from the dead? Elijah raised that same widows son from the dead (1 Kings 17:17-24) We know Jesus fasted for 40 days in the desert. That had to be a record right? Well, it was tied by Elijah. He also fasted for 40 days (1 Kings 19:8). It is no wonder that Jews, to this day, open their doors for him and await his return.

So, what makes Elijah so great and important? All we really talk about is the “spirit of Elijah” in the annual lesson on family history in Elders quorum when 90% of us are asleep and the other half are figuring out how to check on their fantasy football scores without seeming too obvious.  The Spirit of Elijah is more than just a reminder to do family history though. Its the reason behind it. The word “spirit” could probably be changed out for a different word.  Its more like the “power” of Elijah, or the sealing power that he restored to the Earth. Elijah was one of the very few to ever have been entrusted with the sealing power. It was the power to seal or bind on earth and in heaven. That is pretty huge. What you seal on earth, is honored in heaven. Heaven is bound. That is rare. Power over the elements is included. You want it to rain? You got it. Drought? No sweat. Move a mountain? Just say the word. Nephi received this same power in the book of Helaman, and used it to “convey” out of the midst of his enemies. In today’s jargon, he totally disappeared, vanished into thin air.

Sealing power is the authority to bind families together. This is the essence of the Gospel. To bring everyone possible to join the family, and seal them together. When we think of binding families together, our natural tendency is to think of our own immediate family, our wives and kids. But it is beyond just that. We all are sons and daughters, as well as Fathers and Mothers, and Grandparents and so forth. So, “family” has to be extended to mean God’s family. All of us. The only way this is even possible is with Elijah’s “power” or his “spirit” that is mentioned originally in Malachi, and later repeated in a more pure form to Joseph Smith by Moroni. He said, “Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah the prophet…..And he shall plant in he hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to the fathers.” The priesthood he restored to Joseph Smith, is the sealing, binding, authority to make a family forever, and become a permanent member of the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God’s family. “If it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming.” It would be wasted because we would not have had temple ordinances sealing ourselves together, and thereby connecting us with our fathers, and God’s family. God can only save His family. His family that is bound to Him through baptism, and temple ordinances. Our big brother paid for our sins, so that we all could be a family once again.

So, when Elijah came to Joseph about a week after the Kirtland temple was dedicated. It was kind of a big deal. Elijah is kind of a big deal.  And absolutely crucial in restoring the power to seal. Its just the kind of story I love. The amazing under the radar guy, seemingly single handedly saves the day, and barely gets a mention in the footnotes of history, and it will be totally awesome to meet Elijah someday and hear him tell us first hand about his royal beatdown of the 450 prophets of Baal. I think he may have also been the first prophet to officially talk some smack after that whole thing went down…some guys just have it all.

A Few Thoughts

29 Friday Aug 2014

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Often times, we beat ourselves up thinking that we aren’t quite good enough to start on the path back to church, or to follow Jesus Christ and do what He has asked us to do, and that if we just work on ourselves for a little while maybe we can get to a place where we will feel comfortable moving forward – but until then we say to ourselves – “I’m not quite sure that He (Jesus) is ready for me in my current state, He’s just still too disappointed in me” or “I’ve just made way too many mistakes, there is no way I could really be forgiven”.   These thoughts could not be further from the truth.  This is exactly what our common enemy wants us to think and feel.  He would like us to think that we need to work it out on our own and improve before we can feel comfortable at church or partake of his blessings.  This is untruth.  With this in mind, I’d like to share a few quotes:

“The message is not just ‘come unto me’, but ‘come as you are’.  He doesn’t say ‘go get your act together and then come back when you fit the mold’.  He says ‘let’s start right where you are and go from there’”.

-Brad Wilcox

“He’s not embarrassed by us, angry at us, or shocked.  He wants us in our brokenness, in our unhappiness, in our guilt and our grief”.

-Chieko N. Okazaki

“Because of him (Christ), we can rise above past problems, blot them out, and watch them die, if we are willing to have it so….The chance to change our past is at the heart of Christ’s greatest gift to us all”.

-Jeffrey R Holland

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you…and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Matt. 11: 28-30

Let us not struggle against the only one that can heal us and make us better.  Let us not resist the helping hand that is offered, because it is actually when we think we deserve it least that we likely need it most, and His hand is mighty and powerful and can heal us every one.

Introduction

12 Tuesday Aug 2014

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We are four brothers, and although we have many similarities, we are all very different.   Each of us are contributors to this blog and you’ll no doubt recognize  the difference in experience, writing style, use of humor, etc. and I think all of that is good; because you’ll get more than one perspective on Jesus Christ, His gospel, His doctrines, principles, and applications and how all of that has helped each of us.

Casey lives in Idaho, Tyson lives in Utah, Colby lives in Arizona, and Riley also lives in Utah.

I (Tyson) think that I have the greatest brothers in the world and I want to share them with everyone because I think they have great advice, great experience, awesome stories, and they are funny and wise.

Hopefully this blog will bring you joy, happiness, laughter, and allow to you feel the love and light of the world and strive to be the best person that you can be.